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THE STATES

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Abuja

The Federation of Tourism Association of Nigeria (FTAN), says the Nigerian Tourism Investors Forum and Exhibition (NTIFE), will focus on funding for the development of tourism in the country.

The maiden exhibition of the body which will hold from May 21 to May 22 in Abuja, is expected to feature seminar and exhibition of Nigerian tourism and hospitality destinations.

The National President of the association, Chief Samuel Alabi, told newsmen that the two-day event would address the issue of funding as a vital element in promoting development and maintenance of tourism products and destinations.

He, however, urged the Federal Government to give the tourism sector a commensurate attention given to the oil sector as a way of diversifying the nation’s economy.

 

Adamawa

The Chairman of Mayo-Belwa Local Government Area of Adamawa State, Malam Mohammed Bako, says that a female police constable  has been killed while three persons in detention were released by gunmen who attacked the Mayo-Belwa Police Station recently.

Bako made the disclosure while touring the scene of attack, saying that the gunmen used Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs) in the attack.

“A female police constable, Rahila Azoko, was killed while a policeman was injured during the assault on the Divisional Police Station.

“Three civilians, including a security man, were also injured in the attack on banks.’’

 

Bauchi

Bauchi State Government has said that it spent about N10 billion to renovate and provide facilities at the Yankari Game Reserve.

Chief Press Secretary to Governor Isa Yuguda, Mr Ishola Michael, stated this in Yankari, Bauchi State, while briefing members of the state chapter of Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ) and Heads of Media Organisations.

Michael explained that the renovation, which started in 2005 during the tenure of the past administration, had been on-going, adding that the reserve now wore a befitting look.

According to him, when completed, the reserve will be leased out to private organisations or individuals for efficient management that will ensure the recouping of the money spent.

NAWOJ Chairperson in Bauchi, Hajiya Kaltume Shall later told newsmen that heads of media organisations in the state were includd in the programme because of their contribution to the development of journalism.

 

Benue

A 29-year-old man, Levi Achivin, has been arraigned before a Makurdi Magistrates’ Court, charged with illegal possession of firearm and criminal conspiracy.

The Police Prosecutor, Mr Omaye Ujata, told the court that an Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr Abdulsalami Busari, arrested the accused while on patrol along Airforce Base in Makurdi.

Ujata said that Busari handed Achivin over to the State CID where one locally-made pistol and six live ammunitions were found on him.

Ujata said that the accused hails from of Tongov in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue.

During interrogation, the accused admitted committing the offence.

 

Kaduna

The Kaduna State Command of the Nigeria Immigration Service announced the arrest of 182 illegal aliens in Zaira.

The state Comptroller, Mr. Hamman Abdullahi-Yerima, told journalists shortly after the operation in Zaira, that the raid was to rid the state of illegal immigrants.

The comptroller said that arrangement had been made to repatriate them to their  respective  countries.

Those arrested had neither  valid  travel documents nor entered  Nigeria through  established controlled posts.

Abdullahi-Yerima attributed the influx of aliens to the country’s porous borders, saying thousands of motorcyclists were moving people illegally along the Nigeria/Niger border.

 

Kano

The Kano State Government has said it spent N238 million on the third batch of mass wedding for 1,000 couples in the state.

Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso announced this at a reception in honour of the couples held at the Government House in Kano.

Kwankwaso said government came up with the idea after counselling from Islamic clerics.

“They stressed the need to ease the hardship being encountered by the less privileged in the society who are in dire need of marriage.’’

The government gave out N20,000 to each bride to start a small scale business to complement the efforts of their husbands.

 

Kebbi

The Kebbi  State Primary Healthcare Development Agency (KPHDA), has received drugs worth N2.5 million from the National Primary Health Care Development Agency(NPHCDA) to combat outbreak of measles.

The Executive Director of KPHDA, Dr Abubakar Koko, told newsmen in Birnin Kebbi recently that the drugs were distributed to primary healthcare clinics to combat the disease.

He said that the donation of the drugs from the NPHCDA was timely considering the fact that measles outbreak had been recorded, and had resulted into the isolation of victims.

Koko said that health personnel had been deployed to all local government areas of the state to combat the disease.

 

Kogi

President Goodluck Jonathan has  called on the new Attah-Igala, Idakwo Ameh-Oboni II, to use his reign to bring peace, unity and development to the kingdom and the country.

The president made the call at the inauguration and presentation of first class staff of office to the new Atta Igala in Idah by Goveror  Idris Wada of Kogi State.

Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, congratulated the monarch, and prayed for his peaceful and successful reign.

Presenting the staff of office to the Attah, Wada said the appointment followed due process and laid down rules, traditions and culture of the people.

 

Lagos

The Lagos State Taskforce on Counterfeit, Fake Drugs and Unwholesome Processed Foods, has said that it had sealed about 30 illegal patent medicine stores in the Ajah-Lekki area of the state.

A statement in Lagos by the Lagos State Ministry of Health said that the state government was worried about the dangers posed by illegal drug hawkers.

It quoted the Special Adviser to the State Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adesina as saying that their nefarious activities needed to be urgently curtailed.

The statement alerted members of the public to the risks and dangers of purchasing drugs from hawkers.

“The shops were sealed for offences ranging from sales of drugs without licence from the regulatory authorities, to failure to relocate from a market area/adherence to the mandated distance between a patent medicine shop and the market place, among others.

 

Nasarawa

The Commissioner of Police (CP) in Nasarawa State, Mr Abayomi Akeremale,has enjoined residents to join hands in providing security for lives and property, as it was a collective responsibility.

He stated this when he inaugurated a police post which was upgraded to a Divisional Police Station in Azara, Nasarawa State.

According to Akeremale, various security agencies need the support of all Nigerians in discharging their constitutional responsibilities.

He advised the traditional rulers, Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) and the public to always furnish the police with useful information on activities of suspected criminals.

Akeremale said there was no hiding place for criminals in the state as the command was more determined to track them down and bring them to justice.

 

Ogun

The Board of Technical and Vocational Skills in Ogun State has advised students in institutions of higher learning to embrace technical and vocational skills.

The Chairperson of the board, Mrs Doyin Ogunbiyi, who gave the advice, said that acquiring skills would prevent students from depending desperately on white collar jobs after graduation.

Ogunbiyi spoke at a seminar organised by the Icon of Change Initiative, a non-governmental organisation at the Tai Solarin University of Education in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

She said that technical and vocational education was important part of higher education which all students must embrace to live fulfilled life styles.

She said that students should engage themselves in handiwork while in school for them to become useful, noting that the state government was making efforts to give priority to vocational education.

 

Oyo

The Police in Oyo State have arrested Alhaji Abass Oloko, a former vice-chairman of the State Pilgrims Welfare Board (Muslim Wing) over alleged murder.

The Tide gathered that Oloko was picked up by the police at his house in Ibadan after policemen had laid an ambush for him .

Oloko was arrested in connection with the attempted killing of Chief Ayodele Adigun, a former Secretary to the State Government during the administration of former Governor Rasheed Ladoja.

The Tide learnt that Oloko was also being held in police custody as a suspect in the murder of one of Adigun’s guards on March 26.

Gunmen had invaded Adigun’s Ikolaba residence on March 26 and frantically searched the house for the former SSG.

Adigun was, however, lucky to have escaped unhurt since he was away to Ado Ekiti, in Ekiti State with former governor Rashidi Ladoja to formally inaugurate the state chapter of the Accord Party.

The state command’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mrs Olabisi Ilobanefor said that Oloko was under interrogation over the murder of Adigun’s guard.

“We are interrogating him and if he is found culpable, your guess is as good as mine; he will face the music and be charged to court.

 

Zamfara

The Federal Government has  said that it would soon dredge River Benue up to Yola fringes in Adamawa State.

Information Minister, Labaran Maku announced this at a town-hall meeting in Gusau as part of the on-going Good Governance Tour to Zamfara State.

Maku said the government had concluded arrangement for dredging that would pass through Benue and terminate in Yola.

He stated that the Federal Government had attained 50 per cent in the modern rail line project, which would at the end link up Kano and Abuja through Kaduna.

The minister explained that the tour was aimed at showcasing projects and programmes being executed by the different tiers of government and projecting same to the rest of the world.

While commending the Zamfara Government for ensuring peace in the state, Maku assured that the Federal Government would revive all collapsed dams in the country, open up new ones in Benue and Taraba.

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Bikers, Others Grace Burial Of Rivers Philanthropist

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Bikers were among prominent dignitaries who recently attended the burial ceremony of late Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor (née Lawson) in Omagwa Community in Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
The burial service, held at the St. Martin’s Anglican Church field, attracted a large turnout of religious leaders, business executives, political figures, celebrities, bikers’ groups, traditional rulers and community members from different parts of Nigeria. Also present were the Bishop of the Anglican Province of the Niger Delta, Most Rev. Blessing Enyindah, and popular businessman and socialite, Obi Cubana, among other notable personalities.
The remains of Mrs Grant Offor, a respected professional, philanthropist and devout Christian, were laid to rest amid an elaborate and well-coordinated funeral ceremony that reflected her wide-reaching influence and the high regard in which she was held by family, associates and the larger community.
The ceremony drew public attention due to its unique logistics, as two helicopters were deployed. An air ambulance helicopter conveyed the casket to the church field, while another helicopter transported members of the deceased’s family from Abonnema to Omagwa Community.
Dignitaries and mourners gathered in large numbers to pay their final respects.
In an emotional tribute, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor, described his late wife as everything to him, stating that her passing had created a deep void in his life and in the lives of their children. He disclosed that he committed his time, resources and efforts in a bid to save her life, adding that if money or human effort alone could prevent death, she would still be alive.
Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor was born on May 4, 1978, at the Ibiso Maternity Clinic, Port Harcourt, and passed away on November 15, 2025, after a prolonged illness that lasted nearly three years. She was born a twin and grew up in a family noted for service and leadership. Her father, the late Engr. Benoni Lawson, served as Managing Director of the Niger Delta Basin Development Authority (NDBDA), while her mother, Mrs. Irene Lawson, is a nurse.
She attended Port Harcourt Primary School and International Secondary School (ISS) before proceeding to the University of Science and Technology (UST), Port Harcourt, and later the University of Port Harcourt, Choba, where she studied Accountancy and graduated with honours. She was widely known during her academic years for her discipline, focus and reserved lifestyle.
After completing her National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) programme, Mrs. Grant Offor began her professional career in the banking sector, including service with the defunct All States Trust Bank, and later worked in other professional capacities. She earned a reputation for integrity, diligence and ethical conduct.
She was married to Engr. Grant Offor for over 20 years, a union blessed with three children. As a wife and mother, she was described as deeply devoted to her family, instilling values of faith, patience, kindness and discipline. Her home was known among close associates as one built on prayer, love and godly counsel.
A committed Christian, Mrs. Grant Offor was known for her strong faith and love for gospel music, particularly songs of healing and deliverance. Even while receiving specialist medical care in the United Kingdom, she reportedly remained steadfast in her belief, trusting in God until her final moments.

Adding to the show of solidarity, the President of the Rivers State Chapter of the Pantas Female Bikers Group, Mr. White Timano, disclosed that High Chief Engr. Grant Offor is a major sponsor of Uyo Micah’s Carnival, one of the group’s major events. He said bikers and supporters travelled from Rivers, Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa and Delta States to commiserate with the family and show support during the period of mourning.

Mr. Timano described death as inevitable and encouraged the family to remain strong, stressing that only God grants the grace required to endure such painful loss.

The church field was tastefully decorated, creating a solemn and dignified atmosphere. The burial ceremony featured hymns, live music, scriptural exhortations, eulogies and tributes celebrating the life and legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor. Messages from notable personalities highlighted her contributions to family life, philanthropy, professional service and community development.

On behalf of the family, High Chief Engr. Grant Offor expressed appreciation to all who stood by them throughout the period of mourning, thanking guests for their prayers, presence and support.

The burial ceremony stood as a testament to the enduring legacy of Mrs. Nimi Obata Grant Offor, whose life of service, faith and quiet generosity left a lasting impact on many across Rivers State, the Niger Delta and beyond.

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Security Guard Missing After Fence Demolition In PH

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Asecurity guard has been reported missing following the demolition of a fence at a property located at No. 19D, Golf Course Layout, Old Government Residential Area (GRA), Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
The incident reportedly occurred late Sunday night at the disputed property said to be owned by Ozone Global.
Eyewitnesses revealed that a group of men, some of whom were dressed in what appeared to be naval uniforms, arrived at the premises on motorcycles and allegedly pulled down the fence surrounding the property.
During the incident, a security guard on duty, identified simply as Abubakar, was allegedly taken away by the group to an unknown destination.
A relative of the missing guard, Musa, said efforts to get immediate help, including alerting a nearby police point, proved abortive as the incident had already occurred before any intervention could be made.
“I escaped because I noticed them early, but my brother was taken away. Up till now, we don’t know where he is or how he is doing. We are appealing to the authorities to help locate him,” Musa said.
Meanwhile, one of the intermediaries involved in the land transaction, Mr. Chimezie Bright, alleged that the incident may be connected to an ongoing land dispute over the property.
Bright claimed that the land was purchased by Ozone Global from one late Mr Felix Orie and that documents from the Rivers State Ministry of Lands and Housing indicate that the land was allocated to Mr Orie.
He further alleged that another claimant to the land, Mr. Mac Oruche, had allegedly challenged the ownership and opposed development on the property, despite the matter being the subject of a court case.
According to Bright, tensions over the property had previously resulted in disagreements during attempts to fence the land.
“We carried out due diligence before the purchase, including verification at the Ministry of Lands. However, the dispute has persisted,” he said.
Bright expressed concern over the alleged involvement of uniformed personnel in a civil land dispute and called for a thorough investigation into the incident, particularly the whereabouts of the missing security guard.
As at the time of filing this report, Abubakar’s location had remained unknown.
Efforts to reach Mr. Mac Oruche for his reaction were unsuccessful, while the police are yet to issue an official statement on the incident.

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OIU Protests Arrest Of Witnesses In Okon Aku Crisis Probe

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The apex socio-cultural and development association of the ancient Ohafia Kingdom, the Ohafia Improvement Union Incorporated (OIU) has formally petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, expressing grave concern over the arrests of several individuals from the Okon Aku community who were cooperating with a state-constituted Panel of Inquiry investigating the recent communal crisis in the community located in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State.
The union also called for the immediate release of those arrested.
In a letter dated February 6, 2026, and received at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the union described the arrests as troubling and procedurally irregular, noting that the affected individuals had either testified or were preparing to testify before the government-sanctioned panel.
Those reportedly arrested include Udo Ukoha of Ndi Envoke; Okereke John, Udonsi Obin, Eteo Ayo, Idika I. Kalu, and John Ukwakwe of Ndi Owom; and Ukpabi Uche Idika of Ndi Ebin.
While emphasizing that it does not seek to prejudge the legal culpability of any individual, the OIU stressed that the timing, context, and manner of the arrests could undermine the credibility, independence, and integrity of the Panel of Inquiry.
“The arrest of individuals cooperating with an official inquiry poses a serious threat to the fact-finding process, creates fear among potential witnesses, and may discourage public participation,” the union stated, warning that such actions could obstruct efforts to uncover the root causes of the crisis.
The union further noted that panels of inquiry rely heavily on voluntary and truthful cooperation, and any action that instills fear in contributors risks eroding public confidence in the justice system, violating principles of fairness, transparency, and natural justice.
Consequently, the OIU urged the Office of the IGP to immediately review the circumstances surrounding the arrests, suspend any further actions perceived as targeting witnesses, and issue clear directives to guarantee the safety and freedom of all individuals participating in the inquiry.
The President General of Ohafia Improvement Union, Chief Prince Kalu Ikpemini, signed the petition, which was also copied to the Executive Governor of Abia State and the Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Umuahia.
The union reiterated that the Ohafia community desires lasting peace and reconciliation, which can only be achieved through a transparent, fair, and uncoerced investigation into the Okon Aku crisis.
The Okon Aku communal crisis erupted in early January 2026, prompting the Office of the Deputy Governor of Abia State to immediately establish the Panel of Inquiry to determine both the immediate and underlying causes of the conflict, with the aim of preventing future occurrences.
It is against this backdrop that the Ohafia Improvement Union has raised an alarm over the arrests, calling for the immediate release of those detained and emphasizing the need to protect witnesses rather than intimidate them.

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